Guidance detailed on this page is designed to provide centres with support to deliver BTEC Higher Nationals. We will update this page as new information becomes available and will communicate any changes via our newsletters.

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Delivery and assessment in 2021-22

We created a guidance document to provide support for centres to maintain the quality of provision for 2021-22 academic year, which you can download below.

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Contingencies for awarding in 2021-22

On 30 September, Ofqual released guidance which allows the opportunity to continue using UTAGs in 2021-22 academic year.

Ofqual: Awarding qualifications in summer 2022

We will continue working with stakeholders to ensure that our guidance meets the regulations and is resilient to the impact of the pandemic, and will inform you of any changes.

In the meantime, we prepared answers to a few questions which you may at this time.

 
Why aren’t you publishing the contingency guidance straight away?

The exact contingency process will depend on the timing of the announcement from the UK Department for Education and the stage reached with External Examiner activity.  

My centre is not in the UK and we are already experiencing COVID-19 related disruption to our delivery and assessment. Why can’t we use UTAGs straight away?

As an awarding body Pearson can only permit the use of UTAGs if it is authorised to do so by Ofqual, our regulator. At this time, delivery and assessment should continue and we have issued guidance for centres on how adaptations can be made to enable this to happen. 

How will we know when the contingency plan is going to be used?

We will continue to communicate regularly with centres through the VTQ Bulletin. If an announcement is made by the UK Department for Education that exams and assessments will not go ahead in the usual way in 2021-2022, we will communicate this clearly to all centres.

What should we do now?

Please continue to deliver your Pearson Higher Nationals as you normally would. If delivery or assessment has been impacted, please refer to the guidance we have made available to support you in adapting your delivery and/or assessment.  

Contact us

If you have any questions regarding delivery and awarding for BTEC Higher Nationals, please contact us via the Pearson Support portal.

Visit Pearson Support